Deadline for UND nickname referendum arrives (Updated)

UPDATE On Tuesday night referendum supporters turned in a total of 17,000 signatures on 604 petitions to the Secretary of State's office, putting them ahead of the 13,452 names needed. The signatures now await certification by the Secretary of State, and if enough are valid the referendum will appear on the June 12 primary elections ballot this year.[1][2]

BISMARCK, North Dakota: Today, February 7, marks the deadline for supporters of the University of North Dakota's Fighting Sioux nickname to turn in signatures for a referendum on a law repealing the nickname's mandated use. The group fighting for the nickname need to turn in 13,452 legitimate names to the Secretary of State Al Jaeger's office in order to put place a referendum of Senate Bill 2370 on a ballot in June. The petitioners have until midnight tonight.[3]